JohnnyDepp-Zone.com

Ever since Dick Cook announced (at the Disney Showcase) that Johnny Depp would star in Pirates of the Caribbean 4 and would play Tonto in an updated version of The Lone Ranger, the Internet has been swirling with unsubstantiated and frequently absurd rumors about both projects. Finally, there is some credible information, courtesy of Edward Douglas of Comingsoon.net, who had a chance to interview producer Jerry Bruckheimer on the set of his forthcoming Prince of Persia. The producer confirmed that his favorite screenwriting team, Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, are hard at work on three projects: they are “in the process of finishing The Lone Ranger,” Mr. Bruckheimer said, whereas sequels for Pirates of the Caribbean and National Treasure are still in the idea-development stage (no script, yet). “We’ve sat with the writers and we’re working up the story and plotlines right now.”

Asked if the next Pirates film might be released in IMAX, Mr. Bruckheimer replied, “Absolutely. I’d love to do it, so let’s just see if we can work it through the production schedule with everything else.” And when might we see Pirates 4 in theaters? “I think they’re pushing towards 2012,” the producer said, although he avoided a firm commitment on the date: “Hopefully we can make it; we’ll see.”

As for The Lone Ranger, that project has a script being written and Johnny Depp confirmed as Tonto, but no director (yet) and no Lone Ranger, either. Jerry Bruckheimer denied rumors that George Clooney would don the black mask: “We haven’t decided who is going to play the Lone Ranger yet,” he told reporters. “[We’ll] get a director first and then figure it out.”

The Zone thanks Theresa for posting the Bruckheimer interview; you can read it on the Zone’s News & Views forum. –Part-Time Poet